Healthy eating has been important to my family and me for a long time. My husband, Terry, and I have been vegetarians for 40 years, and our adult children are lifelong vegetarians. Healthy eating is more important than ever now … my son, Will, and daughter-in-law, Chea, had a beautiful baby girl, and Terry and I became new grandparents on November 2 (yay!!!)! Terry and I along with our kids and kids-in-law want to be both healthy and good examples of healthy eating for the newest member of our family.

Terry and I got a head start on extra healthy eating when our daughter, Christina, was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (low thyroid) and suspected gluten sensitivity in 2011. We tried to support Christina in her journey to regain her health by creating gluten-free family recipes for when she visited, like the one in my Creating Healthy Family Recipes post.

Christina after her 6-month nutrition and fitness experiment.

In late 2012, Christina started to experiment with strict gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free eating along with exercising 6 days a week for 6 months. You can read about how it transformed her body in her 6-Month Nutrition and Fitness Experiment. She’s done two experiments since then with very positive results. You can read about Christina’s experiences (and find more gluten-free recipes) on Fit Body Full Life.

Because of Christina, Terry and I started eating gluten free at home. We often eat foods with gluten when we eat out, but I’ve converted all my recipes to gluten-free versions. I bake with brown rice flour a lot. Following is my latest adaptation of a peanut butter muffin recipe I’ve used for a number of years.

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Oat Bran Muffins (with Cacao Nibs)

I love peanut butter, and peanut butter muffins are favorites of mine. I’ve gradually made my peanut butter muffins healthier and healthier. My latest addition is cacao instead of chocolate chips. Cacao is a Mayan super food that is filled with antioxidants and has no sweeteners. I used to add ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips to my peanut butter muffins. Now, I add ½ cup cacao nibs instead. Cacao nibs are bitter eaten alone, but the honey in the muffins adds sweetness and the cacao nibs create an interesting texture and mild chocolatey taste.

I do use regular oat bran in the muffins, which might have a slight amount of gluten. You can find certified gluten-free oat bran.

To make the recipe both healthy and gluten-free, I used coconut oil instead of butter, brown-rice flour instead of processed flours or whole wheat flour, honey instead of sugar, and the cacao nibs instead of chocolate chips. Because I raised athletes, I have a habit of adding protein powder to baked goods. I typically use whey powder, although soy powder (and egg substitute) can be used for a vegan recipe.

Making Peace with My Picky Eater — Once upon a time, there was a boy who would try anything. And then he turned 3. Thus began the dinner chronicles at Dionna at Code Name: Mama‘s house.

Foodie Morphed by Motherhood — Rosemary at Rosmarinus Officinalis reflects on the changes of her family’s food culture since becoming a mother, and shares a snapshot of their current food rhythm.

Introducing First Foods — Wondering what your little one should take a bite of first? That Mama Gretchen explains baby-led weaning/baby self-feeding and answers a number of questions that may come to mind!

Feeding Your Family — Coconut Oil!!! — Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama is a coconut oil devotee. In this post, she shares her favorite ways to include coconut oil in her family’s diet as well as why she feels it is important to do so.

The Weight of Motherhood — Revolution Momma at Raising a Revolution rethinks her relationship with food after struggling with post-pregnancy weight gain.

Geek Food: Pumpkin Pasties — While Jennifer at True Confessions of a Real Mommy and family might have food sensitivities, their geekery knows no limits. So, when faced with a desire to recreate Pumpkin Pasties from Harry Potter, they do not shy away!

Pumpkin Harvest Muffins — This summer Mama is Inspired and family grew pumpkins, and this autumn they are baking scrumptious, healthy muffins out of those pumpkins.

Reintroducing Meat to the Vegetarian Tummy — Ana at Panda & Ananaso shares some of the considerations she explored before transitioning from a vegetarian diet to reintroducing meat as a protein source and a few tips on making it an easy one.

Thanksgiving Meal, Thankful? — Jorje of Momma Jorje has never felt terribly thankful for Thanksgiving itself. Perhaps that could change if she’s a little more invested?

5 Ways to Use Healing Bone Broth — It’s that time of year again, when unpleasant little bugs make their way into our homes. For Megan of The Boho Mama, guest posting at Natural Parents Network, homemade stock or bone broth is a natural remedy.

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Congratulations on your new grand daughter. I love these posts, when you share little bits and pieces of your family life. It’s fun to learn about, and the topic today… We’ve done the vegan diet with the kiddos’ allergies. Sometimes I wish I could go back, sometimes I like meat too much. But every time I read a post like this, I seriously consider going back, to at least a vegetarian. However, with so many special dietary needs in the family already, I fear it would be too much work, preparing four meals instead of three at each sitting of the day. Lol.Renae recently posted..Our Simple, Kid Friendly, Random Acts of Christmas Kindness Countdown

Congratulations on your family’s new arrival. How wonderful that you have embraced your children’s intolerances to particular foods and made them part of your own diet at home.sustainablemum recently posted..Intolerance

Hi Deb! Your little grand daughter is so sweet and such a little blessing! Congratulations! I love the gluten free entries! I am a gluten free due to Celiac’s Disease and I my oldest daughter and one of my grand daughter’s has Celiac’s Disease too! So, I am all about natural and organic cooking! I love to cook and bake and 6 years ago I though life for me was over! Now, I can make most everything I used to make and have even come up with MORE recipes! Keep, it coming girl……living gluten free has made me healthier!Karen Tyler recently posted..Last start of 2013

Hi Deb, congratulations on your new arrival. How very exciting for you all!
I have been gluten-free for a little more than three years now. I just didn’t know that others didn’t always have a stomach ache after every meal like I did. My oldest son is now gluten-free too and it has changed his skin, calmed his behavior, and made his tummy aches go away too. We don’t have Celiac Disease, but we do have some particular medical histories in common.
In my former-not-gluten-free days, I was an avid baker. I made fresh croissants and even our wedding cake! Now after going gluten-free, I am always looking for delicious alternative. Thanks for developing this recipe!
And, thank you for the printables link on FB the other day. I find your Montessori posts so very helpful as I begin our Montessori elementary homeschooling journey.
Best wishes to you and your family during this precious time!

Welcome to the world Baby Girl what’s her name? Congratulations Cristina in your new transformation. You look great and I believe you are now doing great in your health. I used to eat too much meat and I like fatty pork so much.

Lately I am more health conscious. I tend to eat more vegetables and I put less sugars in my coffee. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post. Also I will bake the recipe you shared here. My kids will love it.edward presto recently posted..Top 10 Healthy Fat Burning Foods For Men And Women

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